If you’re on this page, it’s likely that you’ve been through a lot lately. You might feel like you don’t have the time to be selective about finding an attorney. Since personal injury attorneys are usually contacted following unpleasant, if not tragic, life circumstances, there is an understandable instinct to rush the process; To get it over with. This is a mistake. If you aren’t careful about who you choose, you might lose the case. Or worse, get paid less than you deserve. Here are some helpful questions to consider while searching for a personal injury lawyer.
Do you know at least one other person who has used this lawyer? In business, as in life, it’s all about referrals. Not being able to corroborate a referral shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but if you can find at least one, happy customer, you will feel better about your decision.
Do they have social media profiles? If so, check them out. LinkedIn has a space for recommendations where you can review a past client’s experience. Take these with a grain of salt as you can choose which reviews to publish to your profile and which to delete. If an attorney has numerous referrals from people with extensive profiles, it’s a good sign. Also, go on their Facebook. See if any of the business connections on their page (under the “likes” tab) were former clients. A good lawyer is like a good mechanic, if you’ve found one, you will be happy to share the news.
Are they registered with the local Bar association? This one seems obvious but you never know. We are not aware of any recent cases of personal injury lawyers operating without accreditation but it is always better to check.
What is the size of their firm? Depending on the scale of your case and the type of injury sustained, the size of the firm matters. If you are dealing with a pharmaceutical injury in which a class-action lawsuit is appropriate, a small office would be unlikely to handle your case. Similarly, if you have a relatively small claim, a smaller law firm might be able to better handle your needs and remain more available.
How did they do in prior decisions? When considering a lawyer, people often forget that their prior court cases are generally a matter of public record. Going to the nearest law library and searching for the attorney’s name could give you a glimpse at their past performance.
What is their fee structure like? Personal injury lawyers need to accept pay-per-performance terms and if your attorney tries to slip in extra fees you should be suspicious. Also, the percentage of the settlement they take ought to be equitable. You are the victim here, after all.
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